We are living in an age where everyone wants the newest technology on the market. There are often countless product versions released, as corporations take advantage of the fact that consumers will buy the newest product. I’m sure you’re thinking of the latest iPhone release, and whether this discussion applies to home renovations. Yes, it does! There are countless technological advances that affect home improvements and building regulations. Boilers, thermostats, ovens and microwaves are just some of the in-built home equipment that we frequently install. If you are undertaking home improvement works, it is a great opportunity to update these items. At Home Tales, we see all the latest products, and we know the pros and cons of each. 

While some technological advances are generally regarded as better alternatives to their counterparts, it’s important to realise that for some items, new doesn’t always mean better. It’s important to recognise that central heating systems are relatively new. During the Victorian and Edwardian era, when terraced housing really accelerated in its construction, properties were built with fireplaces, which gave the homeowners a source of heat. During the 1970s, central heating systems became affordable and this is when it really hit the mass market. A mere 50 years later (taking us to 2020), and we have a new technology to entertain: underfloor heating.

Underfloor heating is an alternative to the radiator we know and love. It’s not the obvious better choice, as there are pros and cons to each (radiators vs underfloor heating). Some homeowners are resisting the urge to install underfloor heating, and are happy to keep the reliable, humble radiator to heat their home. 

There are a vast array of benefits to opting for underfloor heating, which you can read more about here. It’s important to recognise that when it comes to making decisions with home renovations, there is no one right answer. Every home is different, and so is the homeowner. People have different expectations from their home, not to mention style and practicalities. It’s all about making the right decision for you. 

Before making a choice between underfloor heating and radiators, we thought it would only be fair to run through the benefits of the radiator. 

Easy to Install

Providing the pipes are there already, fitting a radiator is a really straight forward process. Compare this to underfloor heating, and radiators win the battle hands down! Underfloor heating is relatively cheap to purchase but it is very labour intensive to install. It also takes time. Once the screed floor has been poured you need to wait weeks until you can think about the final floor covering.  

Design & Styles

There are a huge amount of styles, colours, shapes and sizes to choose from. You can go fancy, traditional, modern, slim, unusual… the choices really are endless. You can even go bold and use the design to create an interior impact on your room. Lots of people actually like the style of radiators, and they feel they are an important aesthetic to have in a room. 

Install Anywhere with Anything

Radiators are very versatile and can be placed in any room. Underfloor heating doesn’t work well with a host of floor materials. As radiators come in a huge array of sizes and shapes, you will be sure to find one that fits in any room in the house. 

Easy to Modify

Radiators are very easy to modify which can very useful room to room. They all come with an on / off knob. You can turn them on in certain rooms, off in others, or even put on a gentle heat if desired. Underfloor heating actually does better being kept on a low heat at all times, so it never switches off completely. If you have multiple rooms connected to your thermostat, then it’s very inflexible on what rooms you heat and what you don’t. If you have a guest room, you can keep that radiator off when you’re not using it. This isn’t possible with underfloor heating, as there is no ‘on / off’ switch. If you wanted to control one room, then you would need multiple thermostats to be allocated to individual rooms.  

Cost

In terms of installation cost, radiators are far cheaper to buy and install. You can get good quality radiators from £100 upwards and as the installation is much simpler, the labour to install them if cheaper too. 

If you are thinking of extending or renovating your home, call our team today on 020 7043 2378 or email us at hello@hometales.co.uk. We would be delighted to talk to you more about how we work, and how we can assist with your project. You can also book a site visit directly online, via our online booking system. This means you can have a home visit confirmed within a few minutes. Our site visits enable us to learn more about your project and we also take the opportunity to explain more about we work.